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Occupational Therapy Assistant in Texas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Texas employs 5,610 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $81,500 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Texas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Texas (May 2025)

Texas median pay: $81,500 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $60,980
Experienced (75th percentile): $89,780
Top earners (90th percentile): $95,900
Employed in Texas: 5,610
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants in major Texas markets:

Austin: $81,500 (1,190 employed)
Houston: $81,340 (900 employed)
Dallas–Fort Worth: $81,170 (1,220 employed)
San Antonio: $79,240 (420 employed)
El Paso: $74,640 (130 employed)
McAllen: $73,720 (120 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Texas

Prices in Texas run about 3% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $81,500 median stretches to roughly $83,934 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Texas (2024–2034)

Texas is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +28.6%, faster than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 910 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Texas License and Certification Requirements

Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) license — regulated by the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners (ECPTOTE).

Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program — Texas has roughly a dozen accredited programs (about 2 years).
Pass the NBCOT certification exam to earn the COTA credential.
Apply for Texas licensure through ECPTOTE, including background check and immunization requirements common to clinical programs.

Official requirements: Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners (ECPTOTE) →

Training in Texas

Texas ACOTE-accredited OTA programs include those in Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Antonio, Lubbock, and the Rio Grande Valley. School-based and pediatric OT roles are a notable Texas demand area alongside rehab and home health.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Texas include:

Alvin Community College — Associate
Amarillo College — Associate
Angelina College — Associate
Austin Community College District — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Texas

Real Texas outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:

West Texas Rehabilitation Center — Abilene
Procare Therapies, PC — Alamo
Little Lighthouse Children's Rehab LLC — Alice
Aveanna Healthcare — Allen
Dino Therapy Services, LLC — Alton
H2 Health — Amarillo

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Patient, practical people who enjoy helping others rebuild daily-life skills.

Think twice if: You want independent desk work or dislike clinical documentation.

Why it's resilient: Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

First Steps

Find ACOTE-accredited OTA programs and review fieldwork requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Texas?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Texas is $81,500 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $60,980, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $95,900. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Texas?

Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) license, overseen by the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners (ECPTOTE). Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program — Texas has roughly a dozen accredited programs (about 2 years).

Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in Texas?

Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

Which Texas metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among Texas metro areas, Austin leads at $81,500, followed by Houston ($81,340), Dallas–Fort Worth ($81,170). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Texas?

Real Texas options include Alvin Community College, Amarillo College, Angelina College. Most occupational therapy assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career in Texas?

Texas projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +28.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 910 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Texas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners (ECPTOTE) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Texas wages · Texas licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.